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BrainSTEM unconference

WHAT WAS THE BRAINSTEM UNCONFERENCE? A collaboration between Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and Waterloo-based Communitech, the BrainSTEM unconference was an invitation-only summit designed to connect creative, like-minded content architects with science outreach experts, digital media professionals, entrepreneurs, and other leaders in the digital media and education space. The BrainSTEM unconference took place at Perimeter Institute and Communitech in Waterloo, Ontario from Monday, June 25 through Wednesday, June 27 2012.

Inspired by the work of digital media educators and entrepreneurs like MinutePhysics, CrashCourse, RadioLab, and Khan Academy, this three-day idea incubator will bring together talented individuals from around the world with overlapping interests in three spheres: digital media, science, and education.

Instead of passively listening to "sage on the stage" presentations, participants at the BrainSTEM unconference will actively participate in setting the topics for discussion in advance of the event. The unconference will start with a single keynote talk from an innovator, and then the participants will carry the conversation forward through two days of focused, facilitated discussions.

The BrainSTEM unconference will also feature a unique on-site competition with teams of exceptionally talented young content creators building videos, games, and/or apps during an non-stop 48-hour sprint. With a $25,000 dollar top prize, the contest is guaranteed to be intense!

About Perimeter Institute

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI) is an independent, non-profit, scientific research organization working to advance our understanding of physical laws and develop new ideas about the very essence of space, time, matter, and information. Located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, PI also provides a wide array of research training and educational outreach activities to nurture scientific talent and share the importance of discovery and innovation among students, teachers, and the general public. In partnership with the Governments of Ontario and Canada, PI is a successful example of public-private collaboration in scientific research, training, and outreach. www.perimeterinstitute.ca

About Communitech

We help technology companies start, grow, and succeed. Communitech is a not-for-profit organization that supports technology companies in Waterloo Region that promotes the region as a technology cluster. Our programs and events connect professionals, share ideas, and strengthen companies. We also champion innovation and collaboration on a provincial and national level. Learn more about Communitech at https://www.communitech.ca.

Perimeter Institute and Communitech gratefully acknowledge the support and leadership of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. FedDev Ontario recognizes and supports the need for a vibrant science, technology, engineering, and mathematics community closely linked to the world of business and entrepreneurs.

Name

Title

Affiliation

Primary Location

Marie-Claire Shanahan

Associate Professor, Science Education and Science Communication

University of Alberta

Alberta

Derek Muller

Creative Director

Veritasium

Sydney, Australia

John Green

Author

Indianapolis, IN

Carin Bondar

Writer/Blogger/Filmaker

Freelance/David Suzuki Foundation/SciAM

British Columbia

John Pavlus

Writer/Director/Founder

Small Mammal

Brooklyn, NY

Brady Haran

Video Journalist

Periodic Videos

Nottingham, UK

Chris Casella

Managing Director

ScienceAlert

Australia

Nelson Dunk

Producer

Skylight Productions

Waterloo, ON

Angela Maiers

Founder and President

Maiers Education Services

Clive, Iowa

Vi Hart

Mathemusician

Khan Academy

California

Olivia Koski

Senior Producer

The Atavist

Brooklyn, NY

Sheila Barry

Co-Publisher

Groundwood Books

Toronto, ON

Crystal Dilworth

Piled Higher and Deeper

California

Mark Rosin

Director (US)

UCLA and co-founder of Guerilla Science

San Francisco, California

Jace Meyer

Manager of Member Services and Outreach Programs

Actua Outreach

Ottawa, ON

Mark Zwicker

Director of Technology

Actua Outreach

Ottawa, ON

Karen Klink

Educational Programs Manager

Research in Motion

Waterloo

Jinty Smith

Educational Programs Specialist

Research in Motion

Waterloo

Krister Shalm

Postdoctoral Fellow

IQC

Waterloo

Louis Leblond

Postdoctoral Researcher

Perimeter Institute

Waterloo

Rob Spekkens

Faculty

Perimeter Institute

Waterloo

Henry Reich

Creator

MinutePhysics

Waterloo

Cara Santa Maria

Science Correspondent

The Huffington Post

Los Angeles, California

Destin Sandlin

Learner/Explorer/Creator

Smarter Every Day

Decatur, Alabama

Joanne Manaster

Blogger/Vloger

Joanne Loves Science

Illinois

Sai

CogSai

North Carolina

Iyinoluwa Aboyeji

Bookneto

Catherine Anderson

Science World/UBC

Sandra Corbeil

National Science and Technology week

Simon DeBoer

InGamer Fantasy Inc.

Richard Epp

Perimeter Institute

Steve Farlow

Schlegel Center for Entrepreneurship

Rebekah Fraser

Real World STEM

Colin Grey

C.G.P. Grey/YouTube

Chris Howlett

Waterloo Accelerator Centre

Sarah MacLachlan

House of Anansi

John Short

Machteld Faas Xander

John Sobol

The Media League

Isabella Stefanescu

Inter Arts Matrix

Michael Stevens

Vsauce/YouTube

Frank Taylor

Title Entertainment

Michael Merrifield

University of Nottingham

The BrainSTEM unconference took place at the Perimeter Institute and Communitech in Waterloo, Ontario from Monday, June 25 through Wednesday, June 27 2012.

Monday, June 25, 2012

When

What

Who

Where

4:00 pm

Opening reception

All participants

Perimeter Institute

5:00 pm

Program strategy session

All participants

Perimeter Institute

6:00 pm

Opening BBQ

All participants

Perimeter Institute

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

When

What

Who

Where

8:00 am

Continental breakfast

All participants

Perimeter Institute

8:30 am

Opening keynote address

All participants

Perimeter Institute

9:30 am

Facilitated sessions - block #1

All participants

Perimeter Institute

11:00 am

Facilitated sessions - block #2

All participants

Perimeter Institute

Noon

Networking lunch

All participants

Perimeter Institute

1:30 pm

Digital competition mentoring sessions

All participants and pitch competition teams

Perimeter Institute

2:45 pm

Facilitated sessions - block #3

All participants

Perimeter Institute

4:00 pm

Facilitated sessions - block #4

All participants

Perimeter Institute

6:00 pm

Communitech tour and reception

All participants and pitch competition teams

Communitech

8:00 pm onwards

Late-night informal gathering

All participants and pitch competition teams

Location TBD

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

When

What

Who

Where

8:00 am

Continental breakfast

All participants

Perimeter Institute

8:30 am

Facilitated sessions - block #5

All participants

Perimeter Institute

9:45 am

Facilitated sessions - block #6

All participants

Perimeter Institute

11:00 am

Digital competition presentations

All participants and competition teams

Perimeter Institute

12:30 pm

Closing luncheon/digital competition awards

All participants and competition teams

Black Hole Bistro

2:00 pm

Event ends

Angela Maiers - Speaker. Writer. Passionate Educator

Angela is an active blogger, social media evangelist, and passionate advocate for bridging the gap between business and education. She is a recognized educational leader, trainer, and author. She is the owner and Chief Learning Officer at Maiers Education Services, a company emphasizing the creative use of technology and social media to advance learning; in and out of the classroom.

At the BrainSTEM unconference, there will be six timeslots for facilitated group discussions based on participant-determined topics.

Participants are invited – and strongly encouraged -- to propose and develop the session topic ideas in the weeks leading up to the event. Concepts and comments can be added to the BrainSTEM planning wiki.

The BrainSTEM unconference is a by-invitation event. Perimeter Institute staff will be in contact with each participant to provide details on travel and accommodations. If you are a confirmed participant and have questions about your travel to Waterloo or your hotel arrangements, please contact brainstem[at]perimeterinstitute[dot]ca.

It's not your average hack-a-thon. The BrainSTEM Build-a-thon is a chance to compete for $25,000! The competition will take place at Perimeter Institute in Waterloo and is open to 8 teams of 2-4 university and college undergrad/ grad students who will have 48 hours to execute on a digital media product in the form of a:

Game

Video

App

The final product must be viewable on the web, and at the end of the 48 hours, the teams must be able to demo the product to a panel of judges. The judging panel will select the best projects and determine which teams will receive: